From that date the work of the Unit was extremely strenuous. Draftees were ordered in at the rate of 250 daily, and the Camp soon assumed the appearance of a Brigade. The men were medically examined, inoculated, vaccinated, and their dental troubles administered to. They were clothed, trained, and when they had become sufficiently expert to form fours, were equipped and sent to England to complete the training so well begun here.
This Unit dealt with all men coming under the Military Service Act, who were either ordered to report or were arrested for some default under the Act, and in this way about 14,000 men passed through the files of the Unit. Of course, there was considerable shrinkage, because many did not come up to the necessary physical standard, and because others became casualties. In all some 5,000 recruits were sent Overseas.
The largest draft was one of 1,700. This draft paraded at 8 p.m. on August 3, 1918; the roll was called, documents checked, etc. The men were then dismissed and ordered to parade and entrain at 4.30 a.m. on August 4th. Every man of the 1,700 answered the roll call but one. He was late for parade but in time to entrain. His excuse was that he had been married after being dismissed the night previous. Under the circumstances the O.C. forgave his tardiness. This was the last draft to be sent. The War in Europe began to take on a more cheerful aspect; the farmers and fishermen were required for harvesting, etc., and some leave was given.
In September the Unit moved back to the Halifax Common for winter quarters. November 11th the Armistice was signed, and almost immediately the welcome order to demobilize was received. By March, 1919, all the affairs of the Unit were a matter of history.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
“B” UNIT, M.H.C.C.
In the spring of 1915, when the casualties of the Canadian Overseas Forces commenced returning to Canada, the best methods of dealing with them had to be considered. The first men to return were not for medical treatment. They were dealt with by the Discharge Depots at Halifax and Quebec. At these points the men received their discharge from the army, their tickets to their homes, a suit of civilian clothes, and the balance of pay due to them.
Towards the fall of 1915 the sick and wounded commenced returning, at first in small numbers; and they were also dealt with by the Discharge Depots. Those not requiring further medical treatment were discharged and sent to their homes, with three months’ pay, paid in three monthly instalments. Those who required further medical treatment were also discharged, but were sent to the Convalescent Home nearest to their homes. These Convalescent Homes were small, and most of them were placed at the disposal of the Government by private individuals. They were all equipped by the Red Cross, I.O.D.E., and other local societies organized throughout Canada by the women of Canada. In the autumn of 1915 the Military Hospitals Commission was created, with authority to accept and administer these Homes. The powers of this Commission were almost unlimited as to their control, administration, and creation of Hospitals and Convalescent Homes for the treatment of Canada’s troops returning from Overseas.
In the spring of 1916 the sick and wounded returned in great numbers, and the Military Hospitals Commission having foreseen this, was well prepared to receive them, having provided large Hospital and Convalescent Home accommodation throughout Canada from coast to coast.
The question now before the Government was how were the men to be kept under discipline in these Hospitals and Convalescent Homes when the men were no longer soldiers, having received their discharge from the army when passing through the Discharge Depots at ports of arrival. It was finally decided that those who required further medical treatment would not receive their discharge on arrival, but would be forwarded to the Hospital or Convalescent Home nearest to their homes and these men would receive their discharge from the army when their medical treatment was brought to a finality.
